Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

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When I was deployed this summer with FEMA for the disaster response in Nebraska, I totally missed the State of Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) awarding me my official Illinois Professional Emergency Manager certification/designation.

Whohooooooooo – IPEM!

Special thanks to DHS/FEMA, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, and the DuPage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for their support in this process.

Can”t believe it’s already December as we pack in these full classes to count in 2019.

First week we have ICS-300: Intermediate Incident Command for Expanding Incidents at Darien Woodridge Fire Department (DWFD). Glad to continue to build the foundation of Emergency Management with our partners in public safety.

Second week we are doing the ICS-400: Advanced ICS course at DWFD as we continue to support our locals and others from across the country. Additionally, I will be popping a FEMA G0291 Joint Information Center course at the City of Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC). Looking forward to the completely full course.

Third week with another downtown bunch of meetings and of course we got inventory of stuff. All the stuff.

Fourth week as we close out 2019 with lots to recap and summarize for our leadership. Soooooooooo basically, it’s all about my TPS reports here.

Yeah yeah, I know there are some dangers with deep frying a turkey. So let’s give this a whirl. Esp keeping in mind that we will NOT be deep frying a frozen turkey.

Yeah, I saw a few redic YouTube videos.

I don’t want to be that kind of famous.

I decided to break out my turnout gear as some personal protective gear because it’s kinda hard to predict a vat of bubbling oil.

I also bought peanut oil and ONLY peanut oil for the fryer.

Not going to lie, starting the fryer, I got excited.

As I dunked the turkey in, I dropped it in very slowly. If you decide to make a three point dunk, your turkey will likely splash all the super hot peanut oil all over the place, and hot oil isn’t good for your Thanksgiving look.

And a few options if things get too hot thanks to my handy halligan tool.

Yep, one of my favorite tools. (The other favorite tool is the Talon hook). Forcible entry AND turkey prep FTW!

Our turkey turned out awesome so here’s some easy tips that you can use to ensure your family’s safety when deep frying a turkey.

Tip-1: Dunk your turkey in and out slooooooooooly. Allowed less splashing and spillage.

Tip-2: Use 100% real peanut oil for deep frying. If you have a blend, the smoke point of the oil mixture may change. Translated, it could go kaboom at various temperatures. Pure oil allows for a stable and predictable and higher smoke point (than other commonly used oils).

Tip-4: I had my favorite halligan and charged hose line (water hose) – just in case things got out of hand.

Tip-5: Heed all safety warnings and watch plenty of YouTube videos because you should be 100% dedicated to this deep frying event. PAY ATTENTION!

Tip-6: Make sure you are a tad late for Thanksgiving turkey dinner time. Grand entrance AND everyone is TOTES hungry.

Tip-7: Thaw and dry your turkey dayzzzzzzzz before you drop it into the boiling hot peanut oil starting at 375.

Tip-8: Have a battle turkey buddy that can help you out with your 🦃 drying and frying tactics. Extra set of eyes and hands with gloves is a huge help. Additionally, huge bonus points if your battle turkey buddy is a board certified residency trained Emergency Medicine Physician and EMS Medical Director.

Second week I’ll be heading back to Jacksonville, Florida to teach social media including my favorite social media courses. Hope to catch up to a few folks that I worked with during the 2017 Hurricane Irma response. Region-4 baby!

Third week we will be finalizing our plans for the 2020 training schedule and laying out the ground work for the 2021 schedules. If my plan works, I got some SURprises up my sleeve for my constituents. Also, don’t forget about the International #ShakeOut day on 10-17-19 at 10:17.

Fourth week I’ll get to spend at FEMA HQ for a brand new Pilot COOP Program. That’s right, I’ll get to hang w/ Rolandoooooooooooooooooooooo! All week in a suit = typical Washington, DC.

Fifth week, I’ll pop a quick ICS-300 and if protesters continue, maybe some other stuff. And on Aloha Friday (11-01-19), we will be doing another FEMA PIO Awareness course at Bensenville Police/EMA.